21 Feb 2019
Academic recognised for over 30 years of service for the Duke of Edinburgh award
An academic from the University has received an award at St James Palace which has recognised her work with the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE).
Dr Hilary McDermott, Senior Lecturer in Psychology within the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (SSEHS), has dedicated over 30 years of her life volunteering for the organisation in her own time.
She started volunteering as an exhibition leader for the scheme across the UK and Europe after receiving her own Gold DofE award in 1988.
Dr McDermott worked as an Outreach Co-ordinator within SSEHS between 2010-2014, delivering enrichment programmes on Wednesday afternoons for students at East Leake Academy.
This included running a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Centre which provided the students with a structured, progressive programme of self-development by taking up the Bronze, Silver or Gold award. Hilary would then be supported on these expeditions by students from the University, which contributed towards their Loughborough Employability Award.
Since then, Hilary has been a warden at Elvyn Richards Hall for the last five years.
Hilary was presented with the Long Service Award by Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex, during a morning presentation at St James Palace, alongside young people who received their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Dr McDermott attended the awards ceremony with her father, who was also with her when she was awarded her own Gold DofE award.
Commenting on the award, Dr McDermott said: “The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award provides an opportunity for young people to be the very best they can be, and I have been committed to supporting these principles since attaining my own Gold Award in 1988. I am so proud to have my work recognised and it has been a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying thirty years!”